Murphy goes 4 for 4 against old team as Indians roll 12-2

CLEVELAND — David Murphy was 4 for 4 with two RBIs against his former team, Danny Salazar allowed an unearned run in six innings, and the Cleveland Indians routed the Texas Rangers 12-2 on Friday night.

Murphy, who played for Texas from 2007-13 before signing a two-year contract with the Indians in November, had a two-run double in the fifth when Cleveland scored six times. He doubled in the second and added singles in the fourth and sixth.

Murphy also threw out Adrian Beltre at home from right field in the second to end the Rangers’ scoring threat.

Salazar (4-4) won his third straight start since being recalled from the minors last month. The right-hander was moved into Friday’s start to replace Justin Masterson, who was traded to St. Louis on Wednesday.

Mike Aviles, who will be getting time at shortstop after Asdrubal Cabrera was dealt to Washington on Thursday, drove in three runs with an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run single in the fifth.

Michael Brantley also had three hits and two RBIs as the Indians finished with 16 hits. Lonnie Chisenhall hit a solo homer in the sixth.

Brantley’s double put Cleveland ahead in the first. He added an RBI single in the fourth when the Indians scored twice to go ahead 5-0.

Carlos Santana and Yan Gomes added run-scoring singles to help the Indians get their fourth win in 12 games.

Jerome Williams (2-5) was charged with 10 runs in four-plus innings. The right-hander, who made his second start in place of the injured Nick Tepesch, was pulled after the first five batters of the fifth reached base. Williams allowed 13 hits.

The Rangers, starting a nine-game road trip, have lost 17 of 20 away from home.

Rougned Odor’s groundout in the fifth scored Texas’ run off Salazar.

The Indians have won nine of 10 against Texas.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: Catcher Geovany Soto began an injury rehabilitation assignment Friday for Triple-A Round Rock. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 22 after straining his right groin. Soto appeared in three games for the Rangers after being activated from a season-long DL stint on July 17 following right knee surgery.

Indians: Left fielder Chris Dickerson was out of the lineup Friday with a sore left knee. He was injured when he awkwardly attempted to catch a ball that fell for a double Thursday. While Dickerson isn’t expected to miss much time, the Indians recalled outfielder Tyler Holt from Triple-A Columbus.

UP NEXT

Rangers right-hander Miles Mikolas will make his sixth career start Saturday. He’s 1-3 with an 8.54 ERA and opponents are batting .315 against him. Left-hander T.J. House will be called up from Triple-A Columbus to make his 10th career start. House, who is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA, has already been with the Indians three times this season.